Navy Energy Security

I really enjoyed the Rhumb Lines from yesterday, good enough to quote in my opinion.

The Naval Energy Program is focused on enhancing operational capability. Energy security means having an adequate, reliable and sustainable energy supply - sufficient to meet the demands of the mission. Energy conservation and efficiency enhance our combat capability to fly and sail farther, and longer. Investing in alternative sources and protecting our supply provide resilience against a fragile grid ashore, insulates from volatile energy prices, and ensures we can accomplish our mission at sea.

Energy Security

• Energy security is focused on transforming vulnerabilities associated with energy supply and demand into a strategic and operational advantage. Energy security involves tactical and shore missions that have different energy challenges and opportunities, and therefore require unique solutions.
• By implementing energy efficiency measures and considering energy when making decisions, from the individual to program-level, the Department of the Navy is reducing energy consumption and serving as a global role model for environmental stewardship.

Tactical Energy Security

• Tactical energy security addresses risks to the warfighter. These include significant costs associated with volatile petroleum prices, unstable petroleum suppliers and extensive supply lines on land and at sea. Lengthy supply lines are vulnerable to attacks that can result in loss of life and mission.
• The Navy increases tactical energy security by improving overall fuel conservation efforts, enhancing energy efficiency of tactical platforms and increasing use and availability of non-petroleum fuels.

Shore Installation Energy Security

• Increasing shore energy security provides protection from vulnerabilities related to the commercial electrical grid, which is susceptible to natural disaster, physical or cyber attack and malfunction.
• The Department of the Navy increases shore energy security by lessening our shore energy consumption through sustainable building design and renovation. We will further strengthen our energy security by enhancing protection of critical infrastructure and increased use of renewable alternatives.

This part is very good.

• The Department of the Navy’s emerging energy strategy is centered on energy security, energy efficiency and environmental stewardship while remaining the pre-eminent maritime power.
• Energy security is critical to mission success. Energy security safeguards our energy infrastructure and shields the Navy and Marine Corps from a volatile energy supply.
• Energy efficiency increases mission effectiveness. Efficiency improvements minimize operational risks, saving time, money and lives.
• Environmental stewardship protects mission capabilities. Investment in environmentally responsible technologies afloat and ashore reduces green house gas emissions and lessens dependence on fossil fuels.

The key point:

• DoD is the largest government and individual petroleum user in the U.S., consuming about 330,000 barrels per day. The Department of the Navy is the 2nd largest fuel user in the DoD, consuming about 100,000 barrels per day. The Air Force uses about 200,000, and the Army uses about 30,000.

The Naval Energy Forum kicks off today outside Washington DC today. I had intended to go, but it didn't work out. You can check it live video stream here, and I think they will have archive video up later as well.

I will have a lot more on this subject, probably next week.